Hi,

Can we do a quick survey of what range you guys get from a full tank of petrol?

PLEASE NOTE: please quote the range you have travelled when you hear the chime, and the fuel warning symbol appears. So the first red line.

I'd mainly like responses from A3 1.8T drivers, whose cars have the 55 litre tank. But you S3 guys can take part as well if you like.

If your A3 1.8T is modified (i.e. chip etc.) please indicate this in your response. Also in the spot check, please indicate what your average mpg or km/l is from your trip computer.

The reason? Well, as most of you are aware, since my car was serviced (oil change) at the dealers at 10,000 miles, my fuel economy (range from a full tank) has gone down by about 10 to 15 miles. So I'd just like to know what ranges you guys are getting. You may also know that I recently switched to Mobil 1 0w40, this has not (as yet) improved fuel economy in the slightest.

I know our driving styles, conditions, climate, tyres may all be different...but lets just do it anyway.

Thanks. It's appreciated.

Alan
'99.5 A3 1.8T MS Silver

I'm Currently getting:

295 to 298 miles, when chime & fuel warning light comes on.

Trip Computer Mpg: Varies between 31.1 and 31.4 mpg, max at the moment.

Used to get before the dealer service:
310 to 320 miles, and mpg of 33.3.

Alan
'99.5 A3 1.8T MS Silver

I never resetted my board computer since the day of delivery and it says that on average my S3 consumed 17.3l per km. Quite a lot. I can't tell you an exact figure for the fuel tank range, because I always drive with the tank half empty and add fuel before I hear the chime.

ravenx
'00 Black S3

David,

is that to the chime? I'm impressed!

Another question, have you had your 10,000 mile service yet?

Cheers,

Alan
'99.5 A3 1.8T MS Silver

I haven't noted the miles but I have now covered 1500 miles and the computer is showing 34.9-35.1 most of the time.
It has not been reset.
When I first took delivery the next day I covered 400 miles, without testing the acceleration but at speeds up to about 70/75mph ( 3000 revs).The computer showed 39.8mpg .
I will fill up shortly and note the miles.

On A31.8T 1999(190bhp&filter) with speedo at 10,400km I average 450km or 280miles to a full tank of 96 octane unleaded (top spec. gas in NZ) before fuel warning.

This is a city drive cycle (i.e. 5th gear not often used etc.), its now summer here, car has not been serviced as yet and runs on Shell Helix synthetic (I think 5W-40).

I used to get about 425km or 265miles average before filter upgrade at 7500km.

I always suspected that 96 fuel affects consumption, or so it seems from other figures quoted.

IJ
99A31.8T (190bhp)

Hello! ranvex are u serios about the fuel consuption? 17.3l/100 is a lot. U push like crazy, don't u? Audi declares an average of 9.5 liters/100km. CIAO

To the chime (it comes on so early in the A3 compared with my last car that it is not worth refueling much earlier). It is worthwhile noting that much of my driving is on A and B roads - I tend not to do much town driving

With re service, the car has only a few thousand miles on it.

David

I admit my driving is mainly town driving. Going to work is only 7 miles away. But I also do at least 50 motorway miles a week, the more common figure being 150 miles.

But it is worth noting that my driving routes were the same before I had the oil service, yet I got better range and fuel economy. Even when I was really pushing the car I never got below 32.8mpg.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback David

Alan.
'99.5 A3 1.8T MS Silver

Hi Alan

My impressions of the A3 T is that if you drive gently (although not necessarily slowly) the fuel consumption is very good (almost 40mpg). The killer is fast acceleration and cruising at 80-90mph on the motorway - somthing I do often because it is so easy and quiet. Obviously, this is the same with all cars but I think there is a big difference between the worst and best mpg attainable. Most of my driving is away from motorways explaining the good consumption, often on an A road I can end up stuck at 50mph behind a convoy of Sunday motorists giving mega mpg. I would tend to agree with your figures, however, for a combined town and motorway route, the turbo is too addictive not to use and this hammers the mpg.

Still, it's concerning regards the drop in mpg post service - things are supposed to improve with age - have you thought about a faulty bearing / sticky brake caliper or the like that may have been agitated at the service?

Regards

David

Thanks for the suggestions at the end of your post. I'll add them to the list of things to check. :)

I'm meeting an Audi UK technical rep on Monday, so hopefully I might get all the problems with the car properly investigated soon.

Alan
'99.5 A3 1.8T MS Silver

Hi,

Are you meeting this rep directly re problems with the car?

Are you planning to raise the issue of brake fade - I have not had the opportunity to see my dealer yet but I'm expecting little from them - would be great to hear their views from source..

Best of Luck.....

David

Hi David,

Yeah, to speak directly about the problems of my car.

I intend to raise the issues:-

1) interior build quality - rattles etc
2) brake fade - wet weather
3) Fuel economy

If I get anything out of him I'll let you know. But with respect to him, maybe I should e-mail you the "official word"(?)

Alan
'99.5 A3 1.8T MS Silver

Hi

Good idea regards above

I am waiting for my first interior rattle (apart from the seat issue) - we'll all hear about it if it happens (a personal hate of mine, rattles)

Regards

David

Is it just me or does anyone else average between 19-22 mpg, I never get any better than that, but it could just be my heavy right foot!!!!!!!!

John, what are you doing! That's worse than me! :)

Alan